---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had attached my life to basketball so…"
description: "\"I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it made me physically ill.\" — Jaylen Brown"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg"
---

#  I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it…

![“I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it made me physically ill.” quote by Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg)

> “I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it made me physically ill.”

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Overidentifying with basketball caused physical and mental distress, showing the danger of extreme self‑attachment.

**In simple terms:** Too much focus on one thing can harm health.

Key Takeaway

Diversify identity and activities.

Themes

identity health balance

Mood

cautious insightful

Type

psychological motivational

When to use this quote

- professional sports
- career transitions
- mental health counseling
- education

Key Concepts

self‑concept overcommitment

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you define yourself beyond your career?
- What activities can broaden your sense of self?

A Different Perspective

Success can be fragile when tied to a single role.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

## Related quotes

> [As your power level goes down, you will become physically ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/as-your-power-level-goes-down-you-will-become-physically-ill/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“Do not be so attached to life otherwise you will end up struggling for life. Choice is yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadair-desmar/do-not-be-so-attached-to-life-otherwise-you-will-end-up-struggling/)

[Nadair Desmar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadair-desmar/)

> [“Fiction is like a spider's web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners. Often the attachment is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/fiction-is-like-a-spider-s-web-attached-ever-so-lightly-perhaps-but/)

[Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/)

> [Never get too much attached to anything or anyone in your life coz these attachments always kills... :(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/never-get-too-much-attached-to-anything-or-anyone-in-your-life-coz/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Happy anniversary to a couple who almost never make me physically ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-anniversary-to-a-couple-who-almost-never-make-me-physically-ill/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Violent anger makes me physically ill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langston-hughes/violent-anger-makes-me-physically-ill/)

[Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/)

> [If I ever feel like I need to see someone to help me adjust to whatever life situation I'm seeing, I'll go. You're sick.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-adesanya/if-i-ever-feel-like-i-need-to-see-someone-to-help-me-adjust-to/)

[Israel Adesanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-adesanya/)

> [“God I loved that man. Love flooded every cell in my body and I felt physically ill at the thought of never seeing him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-cole/god-i-loved-that-man-love-flooded-every-cell-in-my-body-and-i-felt/)

[Courtney Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-cole/)

> [He who is usually self-sufficient becomes exceptionally vain and keenly alive to fame and praise when he is physically ill. The more he loses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/he-who-is-usually-self-sufficient-becomes-exceptionally-vain-and/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [I just think my body can't handle it any more. I did try a little drink a while back, and I was actually physically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-just-think-my-body-can-t-handle-it-any-more-i-did-try-a-little/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I feel physically ill if I don't make work, I don't create. I don't feel very good. I don't feel right, I feel wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-emin/i-feel-physically-ill-if-i-don-t-make-work-i-don-t-create-i-don-t/)

[Tracey Emin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-emin/)

> [I'm emotionally and physically ready for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-m-emotionally-and-physically-ready-for-anything/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [There's more to life than basketball. The most important thing is your family and taking care of each other and loving each other no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-curry/there-s-more-to-life-than-basketball-the-most-important-thing-is-your/)

[Stephen Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-curry/)

> [I have two definitions of success - one on the basketball court and one in my personal life. In basketball, success means making my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/i-have-two-definitions-of-success-one-on-the-basketball-court-and-one/)

[Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/)

> [A big part of what kept me focused on the music was already failing with basketball. I played basketball all of my life. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-east/a-big-part-of-what-kept-me-focused-on-the-music-was-already-failing/)

[Dave East](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-east/)

## More by Jaylen Brown

> [So basketball has always taken me places that I could have never imagined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/so-basketball-has-always-taken-me-places-that-i-could-have-never/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I think that's kind of who I am. I just try to be vocal and try to lead by example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-think-that-s-kind-of-who-i-am-i-just-try-to-be-vocal-and-try-to/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [Why, when an athlete says something, why is it downplayed or considered not OK? I've always challenged that notion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/why-when-an-athlete-says-something-why-is-it-downplayed-or-considered/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I've taken thousands of shots in the corner. It's all mental. That's all it comes down to, is to be ready, wait for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-ve-taken-thousands-of-shots-in-the-corner-it-s-all-mental-that-s/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I don't believe in holding your tongue, especially if it's something you can directly benefit from or some people need to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-don-t-believe-in-holding-your-tongue-especially-if-it-s-something/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [Sports is a unique thing in our country. It's so influential. It's almost like a sacrament for religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/sports-is-a-unique-thing-in-our-country-it-s-so-influential-it-s/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [People will come at me telling me to wear this or wear that. If I don't like it, I don't like it. They couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/people-will-come-at-me-telling-me-to-wear-this-or-wear-that-if-i-don/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I just try to be respectful of everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-just-try-to-be-respectful-of-everybody/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I can remember back when I was getting ready for the NBA, going through media training, going to certain camps - they almost teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-can-remember-back-when-i-was-getting-ready-for-the-nba-going/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I would go to games like I go to dinner. If I come and wear something crazy, I'm just trying to be myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-would-go-to-games-like-i-go-to-dinner-if-i-come-and-wear-something/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I'm not a guy that's going to shoot 10 3s a game - I like to get to the basket. But some of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-m-not-a-guy-that-s-going-to-shoot-10-3s-a-game-i-like-to-get-to-the/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [When I got to Cal, they tried to put me in safe classes, things I could succeed at. I went to Cal for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/when-i-got-to-cal-they-tried-to-put-me-in-safe-classes-things-i-could/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [At the end of the day, basketball is basketball. You've got a whole life to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/at-the-end-of-the-day-basketball-is-basketball-you-ve-got-a-whole/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [I definitely feel like you have an influence. I'm 21 years old, and I'm thinking about the kids that are from my neighborhood, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-definitely-feel-like-you-have-an-influence-i-m-21-years-old-and-i-m/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

> [In life, if you stay quiet, you'll get left behind. So I had to learn to be more vocal and outgoing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/in-life-if-you-stay-quiet-you-ll-get-left-behind-so-i-had-to-learn-to/)

[Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

[Explore all 70 Jaylen Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/)

## More Basketball quotes

> [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/)

[Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/)

> [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/)

[Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/)

> [I learned so much from Sue about the Xs and Os of the game of basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-summitt/i-learned-so-much-from-sue-about-the-xs-and-os-of-the-game-of/)

[Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-summitt/)

> [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

> [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/)

[Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/)

> [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/)

[Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/)

> [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/)

[Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/)

> [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/)

[Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/)

> [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/)

[Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/)

> [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/)

[Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/)

> [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/)

[Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/)

> [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/)

[Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/)

[Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it made me physically ill.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jaylen Brown"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so-closely-that-it-made-me/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Basketball"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so-closely-that-it-made-me/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a20/jaylen-brown-9839_basketball_i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so_364506.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I had attached my life to basketball so closely that it made me physically ill.” — Jaylen Brown",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jaylen Brown",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I had attached my life to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so-closely-that-it-made-me/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-had-attached-my-life-to-basketball-so-closely-that-it-made-me/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
